Laundry machine with loading hopper

ABSTRACT

A laundry machine includes a drum having an opening for receiving laundry to be laundered by the laundry machine, and a hopper mounted on the drum. The hopper includes a first open end for receiving laundry therethrough, and a second open end for communicating with an opening defined by the drum. The first and second open ends define a passage therebetween for the laundry, and the hopper is movable from a loading position in which the first open end is positioned substantially parallel to a ground surface supporting the machine and an unloading position in which the hopper is at least partially removed from the laundry machine drum to allow the laundry to be unloaded from the drum. The first open end can be substantially perpendicular to the second open end. The machine does not have to be tilted relative to the ground surface to receive laundry in the hopper.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to laundry machines, such as washing, drying, dyeing machines or the like, and the equipment related to laundry machines, such as a loading hopper. In particular, the invention relates to a laundry machine having a loading hopper that is predisposed in a loading position such that the hopper can receive launderable items from above without any tilting of the laundry machine.

Commercial/industrial machines used for laundering items are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,772, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a laundry machine with a combination drum door/loading hopper. Such machines are often quite large, holding up to 800 lbs. or more of laundry. Thus, the steps of loading and unloading the launderable items from these machines are usually time consuming and, when performed manually, can present awkward and hazardous conditions.

Prior art laundry machines, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,772, are generally supported on a floor-mounted structural frame and tilted relative to the horizontal into various operating positions. Prior art laundry machines typically include a drum having an opening through which the launderable items are delivered into and withdrawn from the drum. An access door is pivotally mounted on the front end of the machine to cover the opening and enclose the drum during the washing cycles, and to permit access to the drum opening during loading and unloading.

Prior art laundry machines, such as the machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,772, typically include a loading hopper mounted on the drum. The hopper has an upper open end for receiving launderable items, and a lower open end for communicating with the drum opening. The upper open end of the hopper is mounted on the drum at an angle of about forty-five degrees in relation to the ground surface on which the laundry machines sits. While such an angle is conducive to a person manually depositing laundry into the hopper, it is not suitable to receiving laundry being dropped from directly above by an automated laundry conveyor as the upper opening is not vertically aligned with the laundry positioned above. The forty-five degree angle of the hopper would result in a significant amount of laundry missing the hopper and not making it into the drum. As such, the laundry machine must be tilted rearward to move the hopper so that it is not angled in relation to the ground surface, but instead is in a completely upwardly facing position to receive laundry being dropped from above. Such tilting is generally performed by hydraulic or pneumatic actuators.

Following this loading stage, the prior art laundry machine is tilted back to its original position and the items are laundered. When this stage is complete, the machine is tilted forward such that the front of the drum and the drum opening are angled downward to aid in the removal of the laundered items from the drum after the access door is again opened. Thereafter, the process is repeated. A laundry machine that does not need to be tilted prior to the hopper receiving laundry dropped from above would provide an efficient advantage over prior art laundry machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a laundry machine with a loading hopper in which it is not necessary to tilt the machine or hopper prior to the hopper receiving laundry dropped from above.

It is another object of the invention to provide a laundry machine in which laundry placed in the hopper moves into the drum of the machine without tilting of the machine or hopper.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a laundry machine that is particularly suited to receive laundry from an automated conveyor line positioned above the laundry machine.

These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, which in one embodiment includes a hopper for use in a laundry machine having a first open end for receiving launderable items therethrough, and a second open end for communicating with an opening defined by a laundry machine drum. The first and second open ends define a passage therebetween for the launderable items, and the hopper is adapted for mounting on the laundry machine such that the first open end faces upwardly and is substantially parallel to a ground surface supporting the laundry machine.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first open end is substantially perpendicular to the second open end, and the second open end is substantially perpendicular to the ground surface when positioned on the laundry machine.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the hopper is movably mounted to the laundry machine drum, such that the hopper can be moved between a loading position in which the first open end faces upwardly and is substantially parallel with a ground surface supporting the laundry machine, and an unloading position in which the second open end is at least partially removed from the laundry machine drum to allow the launderable items to be unloaded from the drum.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first open end is rectangular.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a laundry machine includes a drum having an opening for receiving launderable items to be laundered by the laundry machine, and a hopper mounted on the drum. The hopper includes a first open end for receiving the launderable items therethrough, and a second open end for communicating with an opening defined by the drum. The first and second open ends define a passage therebetween for the launderable items, and the hopper is movable from a loading position in which the first open end is positioned substantially parallel to a ground surface supporting the laundry machine and an unloading position in which the hopper is at least partially removed from the laundry machine drum to allow the launderable items to be unloaded from the drum.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first open end is substantially perpendicular to the second open end, and the second open end and the drum opening are substantially perpendicular to the ground surface when the hopper is in the loading position.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the drum is not tilted relative to the ground surface when the hopper is in the loading position.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the laundry machine includes means for tilting the drum opening downwardly relative to the ground surface when the hopper is in the unloading position.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the drum opening is tilted downwardly approximately 21 degrees when in the unloading position.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the laundry machine includes a base frame for positioning on the ground surface, and the drum is pivotally mounted on the base frame. At least one hydraulic cylinder is connected to the base frame, and a rod is positioned within the hydraulic cylinder and supports the drum, so that the upward extension of the rod from the cylinder tilts the drum opening downward.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the laundry machine includes means for delivering a stream of liquid into the hopper for facilitating movement of launderable items from the hopper into the drum.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, tubing is positioned on an internal surface of the hopper proximate the first open end, and the tubing has at least one opening. The tubing delivers a stream of liquid onto the internal surface that facilitates movement of the launderable items in the hopper into the drum.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one linear member is rotatably mounted to the drum and connected to the hopper so that rotation of the member moves the hopper between the loading and unloading positions.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the hopper rotates about 87 degrees when moving from the loading position to the unloading position.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a closure member is connected to the hopper and is movable between a closed position in which the passage defined by the first and second open ends is obstructed and an open position in which the passage is unobstructed.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure member includes a first segment pivotally connected to a second segment and slidably connected to the hopper proximate the first open end of the hopper. The first segment can slide toward and away from the second segment such that the closure member is moved between the open position and the closed position.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first open end of the hopper is rectangular and includes a rear side proximate the drum, a front side opposite the rear side, and left and right sides connecting the rear and front sides.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a first slide track is mounted on an interior surface of the left side of the first open end of the hopper, and a second slide track is mounted on an interior surface of the right side of the first open end. The closure member includes a first segment pivotally connected to a second segment connected to the front side of the first open end of the hopper, and first and second shafts are mounted on opposing sides of the first segment of the closure member. The first shaft engages the first slide track and the second shaft engages the second slide track to facilitate sliding movement of the closure member toward and away from the rear side of the first open end of the hopper such that the closure member is moved between the closed position and the open position.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first segment and the second segment extend upwardly from the hopper proximate the front side when in the closed position.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one linear actuator member is connected to the hopper and the closure member for moving the closure member between the closed and open positions.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the linear actuator member includes a pneumatic cylinder mounted on the hopper proximate the rear side of the first open end, and a rod positioned within the pneumatic cylinder and connected to the second segment of the closure member. The rod cooperates with the pneumatic cylinder so that extension of the rod from the cylinder moves the closure member away from the rear side of the first open end of the hopper and retraction of the rod into the cylinder moves the closure member toward the rear side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of view of a prior art laundry machine;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a laundry machine according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation showing the laundry machine of FIG. 2 in a loading position to receive laundry from above;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the laundry machine of FIG. 2, showing the loading hopper separated from the drum;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation showing the laundry machine of FIG. 2 unloading laundry;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the laundry machine of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is another side elevation of the laundry machine of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a loading hopper according to a preferred embodiment, showing the hopper door closed;

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the loading hopper of FIG. 8, showing the hopper door partially open;

FIG. 10 is yet another perspective view of the loading hopper of FIG. 8, showing the hopper door fully open;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the hopper of FIG. 8, showing the hopper door fully open;

FIG. 11A is an enlarged partial top plan view of the hopper taken from FIG. 11;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a loading hopper according to another preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 12A is an enlarged partial perspective view of the loading hopper of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a prior art laundry machine is illustrated in FIG. 1 and shown generally at reference numeral 10. The prior art laundry machine 10 comprises a rotatable drum 11 for washing launderable items, and a loading hopper 12 mounted on the drum 11 for receiving the launderable items and delivering them into the drum 11. The drum 11 is mounted on a base frame 13 sitting on a ground surface. The hopper 11 has an upper open end 14 for receiving launderable items, and a lower open end 15 for communicating with an opening 16 in the drum 11. The hopper 12 is mounted on the front face of the drum 11, and the upper end 14 of the hopper 12 is positioned at an angle of about forty-five degrees in relation to the ground surface on which the base frame 13 sits.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that if laundry is deposited from above the hopper 12, a significant amount of laundry will miss the hopper 12 and not be delivered into the drum 11 due to the angle of the hopper 12, as shown in FIG. 1. As such, the prior art laundry machine 10, when receiving laundry positioned above the hopper 12, must be tilted rearward to move the hopper 12 so that the upper end 14 of the hopper 12 is not angled in relation to the ground surface, and can receive the laundry being dropped from above.

Following this loading stage, the prior art laundry machine 10 is tilted back to its original position, shown in FIG. 1, and the launderable items are laundered. When this stage is complete, the machine 10 is tilted forward such that the front of the drum 11 and the drum opening 16 are angled downward to aid in the removal of laundered items.

Referring specifically to the drawings, a laundry machine according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 and shown generally at reference numeral 20. The laundry machine 20 comprises a rotatable drum 31 for washing, drying or performing some other laundry operation on launderable items “L”, shown in FIG. 3, and a loading hopper 22 mounted on the drum 31 for receiving the launderable items “L” and delivering them into the drum 31. The drum 31 is mounted on a base frame 43 sitting on a ground surface “G”. As used throughout this application, the term “ground surface” is not limited to any particular kind of surface, but refers generally to any surface on which the laundry machine 20 can be supported, including any floor, ground, and/or earth, etc. As shown in FIG. 2, the base frame 43 includes first and second elongated members 44, 45 joined by a cross member 46. Four feet 47 are positioned under the base members 44, 45, 46 at the four corners of the machine 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the hopper 22 has an upper open end 24 for receiving launderable items “L”, and a lower open end 25 for communicating with an opening 36 in a front plate 35 of the drum 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper end 24 and the lower end 25 define an internal passage through which the laundry “L” is delivered into the drum 31. The upper open end 24 is preferably rectangular, and comprised of a front side 24 a, a rear side 24 b, a left side 24 c and a right side 24 d. The rear side 24 b of the hopper 22 is adjacent the front plate 35 of the drum 31. The front side 24 a of the hopper 22 is opposite the rear side 24 b, and the front and rear sides 24 a, 24 b are joined by the left and right sides 24 c, 24 d. Preferably, the upper open end 24 is preferably perpendicular to the lower open end 25, as shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hopper 22 is mounted on the front plate 35 of the drum 31, and the upper open end 24 is substantially parallel with the ground surface “G”. As such, the upper open end 24 faces completely upwardly and is in a proper position to receive laundry “L” that is dropped from an automated conveyor line positioned above the hopper 22, as shown in FIG. 3. The front side 24 a of the upper end 24 of the hopper 22 is not angled downwardly in relation to the ground surface “G”, as in the prior art laundry machine 10. All four sides 24 a-d of the upper end 24 of the hopper 24 preferably reside in the same horizontal plane. As such, laundry “L” being dropped from above the hopper 22 falls directly into the hopper 22, without significant spillage as would occur in the prior art machine 10. Furthermore, the hopper 22 need not be tilted in any direction to receive laundry “L” from above.

The laundry machine 20 is movable between a loading position, shown in FIG. 3, and an unloading position, shown in FIG. 5. In the loading position shown in FIG. 3, the hopper 22 is positioned such that the lower open end 25 of the hopper 22 is adjacent the front plate 35 of the drum 31 so that the lower open end 25 communicates with the drum opening 36. In this loading position, the upper end 24 of the hopper 22 receives launderable items “L” which travel through the internal passage of the hopper 22, passing out of the lower end 25 of the hopper, through the drum opening 36 and into the interior of the drum 31 where the items “L” can be washed, dried, dyed or subjected to some other laundry-related process.

When the machine 20 has finished the particular laundry operations, the machine can be moved to the unloading position, shown in FIG. 5. The hopper 22 is pivotally mounted on the drum 31 to move between the loading and unloading positions. Preferably, the hopper 22 is connected to the drum 31 by rotatable linear members, such as a pair of arms 37 a, 38 a connected to a pivot rod 39 a mounted on the front plate 35 of the drum 31. One end of each arm 37 a, 38 a is connected to the rod 39 a, while the other end of each arm 37 a, 38 a is connected to the left side 24 c of the hopper 22. When moving from the loading position, shown in FIG. 3, to the unloading position, shown in FIG. 5, the arms 37 a, 38 a are rotated clockwise to move the hopper 22 away from the drum 31. Preferably, the hopper 22 is rotated approximately eighty-seven degrees from the loading to the unloading positions. An identical pair of arms 37 b, 38 b can be mounted on the opposite side 24 d of the hopper 22 on a pivot rod 39 b, as shown in FIG. 11.

The drum 31 can be tilted forward to position the drum opening 36 at a downward angle relative to the ground surface “G” when in the unloading position, as shown in FIG. 5. Preferably, the means for tilting the drum comprises a hydraulic cylinder 41 mounted on. the base frame 43, and an actuator rod 42 positioned within the cylinder 41 and connected to the drum 31. Pivot points 49 are mounted on the base frame 43. Extension of the rod 42 from the hydraulic cylinder 41 pushes the drum 31 forward about the pivot points 49, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, thereby directing the drum opening 36 downward. Preferably, the drum 31 is tilted at an angle of approximately twenty-one degrees when in the unloading position. By tilting the drum opening 36 downward, the laundered items “L” can be easily unloaded from the drum 31. The means for tilting the drum 31 can include other known actuator arrangements, such as pneumatic actuators and the like. As shown in FIG. 5, the laundered items “L” can be unloaded from the drum 31 and deposited onto a conveyor line 70 for further processing.

As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the hopper 22 preferably includes a closure member, such as a door 26, for selectively closing and opening the upper open end 24 of the hopper 22. The door 26 is opened to receive laundry being deposited into the hopper 22, and closed while laundry operations, such as washing or drying, are taking place. The door 26 comprises first and second segments 26 a, 26 b that are pivotally connected, such as by a hinge 27. The second segment 26 b of the door 26 is mounted to the front side 24 a of the upper open end 24.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A, slide tracks 28 a, 28 b are mounted on the interior surface of the left and right sides 24 c, 24 d of the upper open end 24 of the hopper 22. Shafts 29 a, 29 b are mounted on opposite sides of the first segment 26 a of the door and are positioned within the slide tracks 28 a, 28 b to enable sliding movement of the door 26. The slide tracks 28 a, 28 b can be constructed of any suitable material, and are preferably made of a polymer such as polyoxymethylene, sold under the trademark DELRIN®.

A pair of linear actuator members, such as pneumatic cylinders 51 a, 51 b with actuator rods 52 a, 52 b, respectively, are mounted on opposite sides 24 c, 24 d of the hopper 22. The actuator rods 52 a, 52 b are connected to opposite sides of the second segment 26 bof the door 26. Extension of the actuator rods 52 a, 52 from the cylinders 51 a, 51 b, causes the first segment 26 a of the door 26 to slide away from the rear side 24 b of the upper end 24 of the hopper 22, and the first segment 26 a folds against the second segment 26 b, thereby moving the door 26 from the closed position to the open position, as illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. In the open position shown in FIG. 10, the first and second segments 26 a, 26 b of the door 26 extend upwardly from the front side 24 a of the upper end 24 of the hopper 22. The upwardly extending segments 26 a, 26 b help in guiding laundry dropped from above into the hopper 22.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 12A, the machine 20 preferably includes tubing 60 positioned on the internal surface of the hopper 22. The tubing 60 is mounted proximate the upper end 24 of the hopper 22, on all four sides 24 a-d. The tubing 60 receives a supply of liquid, preferably water “W”. The tubing 60 has a plurality of holes 61 through which the water “W” is dispersed into the hopper 22. When laundry is deposited into the hopper 22, the flow of water “W” from the tubing 60 at the upper end 24 of the hopper 22 facilitates movement of the laundry down the hopper 22 and into the drum 31.

A laundry machine with a loading hopper, and a method for using the machine are disclosed above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention is exemplary in nature and provided for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of defining the outer limits of the invention—the invention being defined by the claims. 

1. A hopper for use in a laundry machine comprising: (a) a first open end for receiving launderable items therethrough; (b) a second open end for communicating with an opening defined by a laundry machine drum, the first and second open ends defining a passage therebetween for the launderable items; and (c) wherein the hopper is adapted for mounting on the laundry machine such that the first open end faces upwardly and is substantially parallel to a ground surface supporting the laundry machine.
 2. A hopper according to claim 1, wherein the first open end is substantially perpendicular to the second open end, and the second open end is substantially perpendicular to the ground surface when positioned on the laundry machine.
 3. A hopper according to claim 1, adapted for being movably mounted to the laundry machine drum, whereby the hopper is movable between a loading position wherein the first open end faces upwardly and is substantially parallel with a ground surface supporting the laundry machine and an unloading position wherein the second open end is at least partially removed from the laundry machine drum to allow the launderable items to be unloaded from the drum.
 4. A hopper according to claim 1, wherein the first open end is rectangular.
 5. A laundry machine comprising: (a) a drum having an opening for receiving launderable items to be laundered by the laundry machine; and (b) a hopper mounted on the drum and comprising a first open end for receiving the launderable items therethrough, and a second open end for communicating with an opening defined by the drum, the first and second open ends defining a passage therebetween for the launderable items, the hopper movable from a loading position wherein the first open end is positioned substantially parallel to a ground surface supporting the laundry machine and an unloading position wherein the hopper is at least partially removed from the laundry machine drum to allow the launderable items to be unloaded from the drum.
 6. A laundry machine according to claim 5, wherein the first open end is substantially perpendicular to the second open end, and the second open end and the drum opening are substantially perpendicular to the ground surface when the hopper is in the loading position.
 7. A laundry machine according to claim 5, wherein the drum is not tilted relative to the ground surface when the hopper is in the loading position.
 8. A laundry machine according to claim 5, further comprising means for tilting the drum opening downwardly relative to the ground surface when the hopper is in the unloading position.
 9. A laundry machine according to claim 8, wherein the drum opening is tilted downwardly approximately 21 degrees when in the unloading position.
 10. A laundry machine according to claim 5, further comprising: (a) a base frame for positioning on the ground surface, the drum pivotally mounted on the base frame; (b) at least one hydraulic cylinder connected to the base frame; and (c) a rod positioned within the hydraulic cylinder and supporting the drum, whereby upward extension of the rod from the cylinder tilts the drum opening downward.
 11. A laundry machine according to claim 5, further comprising means for delivering a stream of liquid into the hopper for facilitating movement of launderable items from the hopper into the drum.
 12. A laundry machine according to claim 11, wherein the means for delivering a stream of liquid comprises tubing positioned on an internal surface of the hopper proximate the first open end, the tubing having at least one opening and wherein the tubing delivers a stream of liquid onto the internal surface that facilitates movement of the launderable items in the hopper into the drum.
 13. A laundry machine according to claim 5, further comprising at least one linear member rotatably mounted to the drum and connected to the hopper whereby rotation of the member moves the hopper between the loading and unloading positions.
 14. A laundry machine according to claim 13, wherein the hopper rotates about 87 degrees when moving from the loading position to the unloading position.
 15. A laundry machine according to claim 5, further comprising a closure member connected to the hopper and movable between a closed position wherein the passage defined by the first and second open ends is obstructed and an open position wherein the passage is unobstructed.
 16. A laundry machine according to claim 15, wherein the closure member includes a first segment pivotally connected to a second segment and slidably connected to the hopper proximate the first open end of the hopper, and further comprising means for sliding the first segment toward and away from the second segment whereby the closure member is moved between the open position and the closed position.
 17. A laundry machine according to claim 15, wherein the first open end of the hopper is rectangular and comprises a rear side proximate the drum, a front side opposite the rear side, and left and right sides connecting the rear and front sides.
 18. A laundry machine according to claim 17, further comprising: (a) a first slide track mounted on an interior surface of the left side of the first open end; (b) a second slide track mounted on an interior surface of the right side of the first open end; (c) wherein the closure member comprises a first segment pivotally connected to a second segment connected to the front side of the first open end of the hopper; and (d) first and second shafts mounted on opposing sides of the first segment of the closure member, the first shaft engaging the first slide track and the second shaft engaging the second slide track to facilitate sliding movement of the closure member toward and away from the rear side of the first open end of the hopper whereby the closure member is moved between the closed position and the open position.
 19. A laundry machine according to claim 18, wherein the first segment and the second segment extend upwardly from the hopper proximate the front side when in the closed position.
 20. A laundry machine according to claim 18, further comprising at least one linear actuator member connected to the hopper and the closure member for moving the closure member between the closed and open positions.
 21. A laundry machine according to claim 20, wherein the at least one linear actuator member comprises: (a) a pneumatic cylinder mounted on the hopper proximate the rear side of the first open end; and (b) a rod positioned within the pneumatic cylinder and connected to the second segment of the closure member, the rod cooperating with the pneumatic cylinder whereby extension of the rod from the cylinder moves the closure member away from the rear side of the first open end of the hopper and retraction of the rod into the cylinder moves the closure member toward the rear side. 